HELENA – Tomorrow, April 15, is the deadline for filing state income taxes. The Montana Department of Revenue thanks taxpayers for filing on time and offers these tax reminders.

“We understand the work that taxpayers put into filing their taxes, and we are genuinely appreciative of everyone who takes the time to do it,” says Mike Kadas, Director of the Department of Revenue.

State tax revenue helps fund a number of the services that Montanans rely upon and enjoy. Public education, clean water and air, parks and recreation, public health and safety, road construction and maintenance, higher education, and protection of people and property through our correction and justice systems – these services exist thanks to state tax revenue. Explanations and distribution of tax revenue are detailed in the department’s Biennial Report, available on revenue.mt.gov under Publications.

“When Montanans sit down to fill out their returns, they’re investing in the quality of life that we all enjoy,” Kadas says. “Everyone who pays taxes can feel a sense of pride that they contributed to the vital services the state provides - that every child in this state can get an education, that we have safe roads to drive on, that we have clean water to drink.”

Taxpayers who need filing assistance can call the department toll free at (866) 859-2254, or in Helena at 444-6900. Call center staff will be available on Tuesday, April 14, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 15, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. This tax season the call center has answered around 50,000 calls, which is about 5,000 more calls than this time frame last year.

Taxpayers can file electronically using the department’s Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) or one of many commercial e-filing products. For electronic filing options, visit revenue.mt.gov and click Online Services. Taxpayers have until midnight on April 15 to file electronically and meet the filing deadline. Paper returns need to be postmarked by April 15 or hand-delivered to Revenue’s Helena office in the Mitchell Building, 125 N. Roberts, by 5 p.m. Taxpayers can also pay their taxes electronically through TAP or Income Tax Express on revenue.mt.gov under Online Services with a bank account withdrawal or a debit or credit card.

In addition to contacting the department’s call center, taxpayers can receive assistance by visiting the Mitchell Building in Helena, 125 North Roberts, until 4 p.m., or at the department’s offices in Missoula at 2681 Palmer Street. There are also more than 100 volunteer tax preparation sites around the state through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and AARP Tax-Aide Montana. To find out if you qualify and to see a list of locations, visit www.montanafreefile.org.

To check the status of their refunds, taxpayers are encouraged to go online to the Department of Revenue website at revenue.mt.gov and visit Where’s My Refund under Taxpayer Access Point. Taxpayers who file their state income taxes electronically typically receive their refunds faster than those who file by paper. Refunds are taking longer this year due to extra security and review procedures following an increase in fraudulent tax return filings. Since this tax season opened on January 20, the department has blocked 867 fraudulent returns totaling $917,775. “We’re doing our due diligence and thank Montana taxpayers for their patience as we work to keep their information safe,” said Director Kadas.

April 15 is also the deadline for submitting an application for various tax relief options. The Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) gives property tax relief to qualified low-income homeowners. The 2EC is an income tax credit for elderly homeowners and renters. The applications are available online at revenue.mt.gov under Forms, Property Tax and Individual Income Tax.

So far, the department has processed more than 364,043 individual income tax returns for the 2014 tax year and issued nearly 284,670 refunds averaging $419 for a total of more than $119 million. Last year, the department processed a total of 357,799 returns by the April 15 deadline.

The Department of Revenue also encourages and appreciates public comments and suggestions regarding the department’s quality of service. “Please tell us how we’re doing,” Kadas says. “We rely on public feedback to ensure that we’re offering Montanans the best service possible.”